Students from about 600 schools across the province were expected to speak out against cuts to staffing — with the Hamilton-Wentworth District School Board deciding on an estimated reduction of about 136 positions from the the current school year.

Students started walking out of class at 1:15 p.m. Thursday. Around 70 gathered in front of Hamilton's city hall. (Justin Mowat/CBC)

Amelia Arlen, a Grade 12 student at Westmount Secondary School told CBC News that about 200 students from her school walked out class, protesting outside of the school.

"We are standing outside to protest education cuts that Doug Ford is trying to make right now," said Arlen.

"I would tell Doug Ford that he needs to pay attention to education because it is what empowers our future, for it should become better and not worse."

When the issue was brought up during question period Thursday, Ford told the legislature that teachers have a responsibility to parents.

"They have a responsibility to the students to make sure that they stay in the classrooms and teach the students."

This sixth grade me felt like she didn’t have a voice. Well, now I’m in grade 12 and I’m walking out at 1:15pm like many other students across Ontario in support of the teachers. <a href="https://twitter.com/CBCHamilton?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@CBCHamilton</a> <a href="https://t.co/vviCPHZjXr">https://t.co/vviCPHZjXr</a>

Students took their message not only to the streets, but on social media as well. Local actor, 13-year-old T.J. McGibbon, who is in the Neflix hit Umbrella Academy, fought back on Twitter against a disparaging comment accusing young people of not having a grasp of reality.

Umm. I am 13 and I have been paying taxes since I was 6 years old. Please don’t tell me what I think is important. <a href="https://twitter.com/fordnation?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@fordnation</a> Stop the cuts to education. We will make you a one term government. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/HamOnt?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#HamOnt</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/StudentsSayNo?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#StudentsSayNo</a> <a href="https://t.co/d7smQtXUqQ">https://t.co/d7smQtXUqQ</a>

When asked if students will be punished for cutting class, Alex Johnstone, chair of the Hamilton-Wentworth District School Board told CBC News that parents and guardian would be notified of their child's absence.

"We support our students' civil rights and their interest in civic engagement. We support student voices. We recognize that our students are feeling frustrated and that they are feeling they have not had a voice in the process," she said

"Students are able to leave the property with permission -- many of our students were taking part over their lunch hour," said Johnstone. "We know that many of our students have demonstrated their civic rights today in a way that is responsible, respectful and safe."

Hundreds of Hamilton students walked out of class at 1:15 p.m. today to protest education cuts. Approximately 70 students from Cathedral High School walked to Hamilton city hall and received honks and thumbs up from passing cars. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/HamOnt?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#HamOnt</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/StudentsSayNo?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#StudentsSayNo</a> <a href="https://t.co/KlwfT6y5mq">pic.twitter.com/KlwfT6y5mq</a>